Accessibility Links

Rowing asks for replacements if Russia ruled out

Alex Lowe

July 21 2016, 12:01am, The Times

The Russian men’s quadruple sculls team have already been disqualified after a doping violation in MayUrs Flueeler/EPA

Rowing’s world governing body has asked the International Olympic Committee whether it would be able to replace Russia crews if the country is banned from the Olympic Games, as it braces itself for a logistical headache.

Russia qualified six Olympic and two Paralympic boats for Rio, although one — the men’s quadruple sculls — has already been disqualified because of a doping violation in May.

The IOC has said it will decide within a week whether to take the advice of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) and implement a blanket ban on Russia after an investigation discovered evidence of state-sponsored doping.

If the remaining five Russia crews were removed from the Olympic regatta, with no time to replace them, it could have a significant impact…